Pharmacist Inks

[MarneM]

I recently ordered three Pharmacist Inks -- Turkish Nights, Terra Incinerata, and Darkening Absinthe (I split the order with a friend). I set out to do a review (though I may edit the pictures later to include more variety).

 

I really like all three of these inks and see myself using them quite a bit. You will see in the pictures that I used a dip pen for the tests, and I believe they will lighten up significantly if placed in a fountain (as you can see in the Turkish Nights example). With the dip pen they are dark enough that it almost obscures the differences between them -- the Turkish Nights is a definite teal, the Terra Incinerata a reddish brown, and the Darkening Absinthe quite green.

 

The three papers are a Rhodia graph pad, Tomoe River, and a Incorimo pad that I got from a friend. On the pad you can see significant feathering, but on both of the other papers the fine lines remain delightfully fine, and the variation looks lovely. You can also quite clearly see the color difference in the Turkish NIghts when it is placed in a fountain pen (in this case, a Namiki Falcon). It shades beautifully in the Falcon, and while the color starts almost turquoise, it dries to a beautiful dark teal.

 

 

This is the Rhodia graph pad:

 

 

 

This is the Tomoe River:

 

 

 

This is the Incowrimo pad:

 

 

All of the inks have decent flow, but again, two of them I only used in a dip pen. The Turkish Nights had no problem keeping up with the semi-flex of the Namiki Falcon, I only railroaded it slightly once between the three writing samples. You can see that it shades quite nicely, and exhibits shading even on the last paper, despite the feathering. I was a little worried about putting an iron gall ink in my Falcon (okay, a lot nervous), but it seems that others have successfully used Pharmacist inks in fountain pens. I will still be using it every day and flushing it rather more than usual, however, just in case.

Edited March 31, 2014 by MarneM

[inkstainedruth]

Is the Terra Incinerata the original formulation, or the reformulated (i.e., less green-tinged) version? It's hard to tell from the pix. I have the original (from a couple of years ago) and while I didn't like it that much at first, it's starting to grow on me.

As for Turkish Night, all I can say is that it's completely yummy....

Are these recent purchases (i.e., is Pharmacist brewing again)? I haven't been all that active on here for the last few days, so if he sent out mail saying he had stuff ready I may have missed it....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[MarneM]

I didn't notice a green tinge to the Terra Incinerata, but I will update you when I try it in a fountain pen. I'm assuming it's the new formula, since I just purchased these two weeks ago.

 

Pharmacist seems to be brewing again! I think he may be working through a backlog, because the email he responded to from me was about a year old. He said he hopes to be doing more brewing now, after some difficulties this past year!

 

I have loved the Turkish Nights since the first time someone used it in a letter and I'm so glad to have been able to purchase some!

[LagNut]

This is great news(and beautiful penmanship). I haven't tried these yet, but I have been hoping I could get some Turkish Nights.

 

Thanks much

Mike

[Bemo]

So glad to see these coming back!

[flexnib]

Where does one purchase this brand of ink?

Thanks

[MarneM]

These inks are made by a FPN member, Pharmacist. There is typically a waiting list, though I'm not sure how long it is at the moment! If you look in ink reviews, you will see a few more colors, in addition to the ones that I have. I have no affiliation with him, but his customer service was great, payment was easy, and shipment was reasonable from Belgium to the United States. Shipping costs are expensive (I shared my ink purchase with a friend to cut down on the overall cost), but...that's the post these days!

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/user/39664-pharmacist/

[Scrawler]

Thanks for this excellent review. I have been thinking about using more iron gall inks and I find the Turkish Nights to be very attractive.

[MarneM]

I'm having trouble getting it to show up, but if anyone would like to see what the Terra Incinerata and Darkening Absinthe look like in a fountain pen (instead of a dip pen as above), you can find a picture here:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69216393@N04/13589872234/

 

I inked both of them yesterday. I like them both.

[rudyhou]

great penmanship

[agchristie]

Thank you for your review. I am really hoping he is Superman with his brewing and that he will soon get to my order sent to him in January!! So love the look especially of Turkish Night. Your post has just reinforced my Wish to try it!

[pharmacist]

For those interested in my inks. At this very moment I don't have much time to recommence brewing again, so please be patient. Currently those on the waiting lists will be contacted back in a few weeks time. Sorry for the inconvenience .